Transitional 725 / 700 - Kodiak / 1962 Safari

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54bullseye
Posts: 107
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2011 8:33 am

Transitional 725 / 700 - Kodiak / 1962 Safari

Post by 54bullseye »

Hi John T. here again talking about 725 Kodiak's and early 62-63 Safari's. I had zero response to my last post on the same subject I guess either not much interest or just no one on the forum that has these guns to talk about ?

Any way I recently found and purchased a very interesting rifle that I believe is a transitional rifle between the 725 Kodiaks in 1961 and the 700 Safaris in 1962. It is a neat gun with traits from both the Kodiak and the 1962 Safari. It's in 375 H&H Mag the serial number is 717963 "a 725 serial number" yet the receiver is marked " Remington Model 700 " and after looking at it close the
"REMINGTON" is stamped into receiver but the "model 700 " is very nicely hand engraved !!  Same checkering pattern as both the Kodiak and 62 Safaris and the same cut out for receiver sight. Same factory muzzle brake as both guns however the front sight blade I believe has been changed as it's not the stock blade. Same rear sight and black recoil pad.  It has the recoil pin cover plugs like on the 62 Safaris white in front wood to the rear. The bolt, safety and receiver are all 725 features as are the sling swivels. Also the Kodiaks have a screw in the middle of the pistol grip cap but the Safaris don't this gun does not have the screw . It is definitely an odd ball parts clean up gun to me !! If any one has seen anything like it please let me know. I have spoken to John Lacy about this gun and he said he has seen other transition guns but with slightly different options. Again I would love to hear from anyone who owns any Kodiaks or 62-63 Safaris !! Thanks John T.
PS I tried to post more pics but 3 is all that would work !
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Last edited by 54bullseye on Sun Jun 11, 2017 9:43 am, edited 2 times in total.
600RemGuy
Posts: 353
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 10:29 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Transitional 725 / 700 - Kodiak / 1962 Safari

Post by 600RemGuy »

I'll reply so you get at least one!. Neato! Now, my query. These rifles are/were custom shop rifles,not? I'm guessing the length of time it takes/took to build these may have some bearing on the mix or maybe it was ordered that way? Anyway, I hear of very few of them here in Canada. I handled a 375 once years ago in the 700 Safari and it was a beaut. As I recall, there was no build date but do not recall the serial number block. It's the only one I've seen personally.
54bullseye
Posts: 107
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2011 8:33 am

Re: Transitional 725 / 700 - Kodiak / 1962 Safari

Post by 54bullseye »

Thanks for the reply ! Being out of the custom shop there is usually no barrel date code but I have owned one Kodiak that did have a barrel code of "WH" which signifies August of 1961 manufacture which is just right for a Kodiak. There is also one listed on Gunbroker right now with the same date code "WH" so I guess they were some times used even in the custom shop !! I own both a 375 and 458 Kodiak now and neither have a date code. John
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54bullseye
Posts: 107
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2011 8:33 am

Re: Transitional 725 / 700 - Kodiak / 1962 Safari

Post by 54bullseye »

Well I guess the 725 Kodiaks and the early 62 Safaris are about a dead subject on this board ??? I find it hard to believe with all these Remington collectors that there is no one interested except 600RemGuy and I thank you for the response ??? Any one in the future that finds this with interest please get in touch through the board !
Thanks John Taylor
Rem725
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Joined: Sat May 17, 2003 10:16 pm
Location: Oregon

Re: Transitional 725 / 700 - Kodiak / 1962 Safari

Post by Rem725 »

I have owned all the small calibre 725s through the years. Always wanted a Kodiak, but have never even seen one in person.

A different parts gun I did see one time was a 300 Savage with the proper 24" barrel and dovetail sight swell. The receiver was rolled as a 722 with proper 722 trigger and safe. But the receiver underneath was machined for a 725 trigger and safe.

A likely employee gun, or an end of run use up parts gun.
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54bullseye
Posts: 107
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Re: Transitional 725 / 700 - Kodiak / 1962 Safari

Post by 54bullseye »

Rem725 thanks for the reply. I think parts clean up guns are overlooked because people always think they are "messed with" !! As far as the one I showed pics of I talked to John Lacy about it and he said he has seen others similar to mine. You stop and think if a new gun is going to come out in say 1962 and they have a few parts like barrels, receivers or stocks left it only makes sense to use them up ! The gun you described sounds more like an "inside job" like you said. An employee liked the 725 trigger set up so he made it work on a 722. I have both a 375 and 458 Kodiak and both a 375 and 458 in the first year 1962 700 Safari's and after looking at all the features on both there is no doubt in my mind that this is a true parts clean up gun and I believe it's one of only a very few !!!! I like it as well as it's little and big brothers ! John Taylor
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